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General Information

Plant Care Instructions By Julie Bawden-Davis

This cabbage and broccoli relative features thick, smooth, edible leaves that grow in a loose rosette. The plant is a biennial, but often grown as an annual. It thrives in cool weather, at which point it tastes the best, especially if nipped by frost. The plant is also heat tolerant, however, and can be grown during warm months.. Reaches 2 1/2- to 3-feet-tall.

Is Indoor Plant?

No

These month by month plant care tasks are for plants in the following zones :

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

4. Fertilize

When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

5. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

6. Mulch

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

7. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

8. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

9. Transplant

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

10. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

April

1. Buy

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

2. Plant

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

3. Sow Seeds

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

4. Fertilize

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

5. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

6. Mulch

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

7. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

8. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

9. Transplant

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

10. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

May

1. Buy

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

2. Plant

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

3. Sow Seeds

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

4. Fertilize

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

5. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

6. Mulch

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

7. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

8. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

9. Transplant

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

10. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

June

1. Fertilize

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

2. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

3. Mulch

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

4. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

5. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

6. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

July

1. Fertilize

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

2. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

3. Mulch

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

4. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

5. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

6. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

August

1. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

2. Mulch

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

3. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

4. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

5. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

September

1. Buy

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

2. Plant

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

3. Sow Seeds

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

4. Fertilize

When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

5. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

6. Mulch

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

7. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

8. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

9. Transplant

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

10. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

October

1. Buy

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

2. Plant

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

3. Sow Seeds

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

4. Fertilize

When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

5. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

6. Mulch

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

7. Pest/Disease Inspection

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

8. Treat for Pest/Disease

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

9. Transplant

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

10. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

November

1. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

2. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

December

1. Water

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

2. Harvest

Harvest leaves by removing them from the outside of the cluster.

Buy

When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!

January

Plant seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

March

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

April

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

May

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

September

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

October

Buy seed or transplants from the nursery.

Plant

When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?

March

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

April

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

May

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

September

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

October

Plant transplants in a full sun or light shade location.

Sow Seeds

When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?

March

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

April

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

May

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

September

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

October

Sow seed outdoors in the ground or containers in a full sun or light shade location.

Fertilize

When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?

March

When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

April

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

May

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

June

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

July

Feed once with an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

September

When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

October

When planting, amend the soil with compost and an organic fertilizer containing nitrogen, such as a 10-10-10.

Water

Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?

January

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

February

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

March

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

April

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

May

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

June

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

July

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

August

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

September

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

October

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

November

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

December

Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Avoid letting plants dry out.

Mulch

Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?

March

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

April

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

May

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

June

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

July

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

August

Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants.

September

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

October

Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of shredded bark around the base of the plants once they are established and growing.

Pest/Disease Inspection

What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear?

March

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

April

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

May

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

June

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

July

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

August

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

September

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

October

Check for aphids, caterpillars and worms.

Treat for Pest/Disease

How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?

March

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

April

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

May

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

June

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

July

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

August

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

September

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

October

Treat aphids with a strong spray of water, and control caterpillars and worms by handpicking and/or using Bacillus thuringiensis.

Transplant

When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements?

March

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

April

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

May

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

September

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

October

Transplant in a full sun or light shade location, burying the stem halfway.

Harvest

When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?